Industrial Abrasive Blaster

New Flyer; Winnipeg; On-site; CAD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Tuition subsidies and employee dev't

On-the-job training

Paid holidays

Job summary

New Flyer, North America’s heavy-duty transit bus leader, is seeking an Industrial Abrasive Blaster to perform surface preparation on bus frames and steel components, using high-pressure blasting equipment to remove corrosion and contaminants for optimal coating adhesion.

Ideal candidates bring industrial blasting experience or transferable skills from related trades, with SSPC/NACE training preferred, strong safety awareness, and the ability to work in protective gear for extended periods on

Qualifications

• Experience in industrial abrasive blasting or transferable skills from related trades.
• Certification or training through SSPC/NACE AMPP such as SSPC C7 or CIP Level 1 (preferred).
• Ability to safely operate high-pressure blasting equipment and ventilation systems.
• Strong safety awareness in confined spaces and high‑pressure environments.
• Physically fit to work in protective gear for extended periods.
• Willingness to learn advanced blasting and coating techniques.

Responsibilities

• Perform abrasive blasting on bus frames and steel components to SSPC/NACE standards.
• Operate and maintain blast pots, nozzles, hoses, air compressors, dust collectors, and ventilation systems.
• Apply various blast media (steel grit, shot, garnet, aluminum oxide) for corrosion removal and coating adhesion.
• Inspect surfaces to ensure cleanliness, profile, and uniformity meet coatings requirements.
• Follow respiratory protection, confined space, lockout/tagout, and PPE safety protocols.
• Support coating/painting teams by ensuring surfaces are properly prepared for primers and paints.
• Perform routine equipment checks and basic maintenance of blasting systems.

Skills

Industrial blasting experience

SSPC/C7 or NACE AMPP training

Safety-focused

Physical fitness

Tools

Blast pots

Air compressors

PPE safety equipment

Job description

New Flyer is North America's heavy-duty transit bus leader with various locations in North America. Offering the most advanced product line under the Xcelsior® and Xcelsior CHARGE™ brands. It also offers infrastructure development through New Flyer Infrastructure Solutions™, a service dedicated to providing safe, sustainable, and reliable charging and mobility solutions. Further information is available at www.newflyer.com.

POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking an Industrial Abrasive Blaster to perform surface preparation on heavy steel structures including bus frames, components, and subassemblies. This role involves operating high-pressure abrasive blasting equipment to remove corrosion, mill scale, and contaminants, ensuring optimal coating adhesion and finish durability.

This position is ideal for candidates with industrial blasting experience or those with transferable skills from auto body repair, industrial painting, welding, metal finishing, or coatings application, who are ready to grow into large-scale industrial blasting.

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM:

• Competitive wages and a comprehensive benefits package.

• A continuous learning environment.
• Ability to advance your career with a growing company.
• NFI Group was named a Manitoba Top Employer for 2020 and this is the tenth time since the competition was established in 2007.
• Employee social committee organizes numerous events throughout the year, including summer barbecues, holiday festivities, sporting events and tournaments, and much more.
• Ongoing employee development through a variety of in-house training initiatives along with tuition subsidies for courses at outside institutions.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

• Perform abrasive blasting on bus frames and steel components to required SSPC/NACE surface preparation standards.
• Operate and maintain blast pots, nozzles, hoses, air compressors, dust collectors, and ventilation systems.
• Apply various blast media (steel grit, shot, garnet, aluminum oxide) for corrosion removal and coating adhesion.
• Inspect work surfaces to ensure surface cleanliness, profile, and uniformity meet industrial coatings requirements.
• Follow strict respiratory protection, confined space, lockout/tagout, and PPE safety protocols.
• Support coating/painting teams by ensuring surfaces are properly prepared for primers, paints, and protective linings.
• Perform routine equipment checks and basic maintenance of abrasive blasting systems.

WHAT YOU NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL:

• Experience in industrial abrasive blasting OR transferable skills from:
  • Industrial painting/coatings application
  • Auto body refinishing / surface preparation
  • Welding, fabrication, or metal finishing
  • Shipyard, aerospace, or heavy equipment maintenance
• Certification or training through the Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC) or NACE/AMPP (National Association of Corrosion Engineers / Association for Materials Protection and Performance) such as:
  • SSPC C7 Abrasive Blaster
  • SSPC C3 Supervisor
  • NACE/AMPP Coating Inspector Program (CIP) Level 1
    (Highly desired)
• Ability to safely operate high-pressure blasting equipment, compressors, and ventilation systems.
• Strong safety awareness in confined space and high-pressure environments.
• Physically fit to lift, bend, stand, and work in protective gear for extended periods.
• Willingness to learn advanced blasting and coatings techniques.

WHY JOIN US:

• Be a part of a team leading the world’s electrification of mass mobility
• Competitive Wages and comprehensive benefit package with Immediate benefit eligibility
• Paid holidays and vacation
• Passionate about creating a better product, a better workplace, and a better world
• Inclusive workplace culture that values and empowers team members.
• On-the-job training in a continuous learning environment (we’ve invested 10.9 million in 2023)
• Advancement opportunities within our family of companies

New Flyer is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity, ensure equitable experiences and are committed to creating an inclusive environment reflective of the communities we operate. Accommodations are available at all stages of the recruitment process, at the candidates’ request.